The Scholarships for Military Children Program, academic year 2021-2022, began accepting applications Dec. 14, and the deadline for submissions is Feb. 17.

In existence for 21 years, the program recognizes the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and celebrates the commissary’s role in enhancing military quality of life. Thus far, SMCP has awarded more than $20.1 million to 11,814 students, selected from a pool of nearly 105,000 applicants.

SMCP is administered by the Fisher House Foundation. Funding comes from commissary business partners and other earmarked contributions. Every dollar received is given out as a scholarship grant. Additionally, the foundation matches all donations, dollar for dollar, and does not charge for its services.

Read more here. 

The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed the USNS Fisher, a vessel with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on December 12 for a stay of approximately nine months, as the temporary home port for the 951-foot long vessel. The ship will be docked at the port’s berths 13 and 14 and will offer an impressive sight to river users and those able to view it from the Oregon side of the Columbia River.

Read More Here

Each November, the Emerald Coast Exchange Club hosts Salute a Veteran at the Armament Museum.  This year’s event, on November 14, will feature hundred of flags flying in front of the Armament Museum, each bearing a tag honoring veterans who have served our country and new to this year, thanks to a generous sponsor, Bevilacqua Research Corporation – Chef Dan’s Fuel food truck will be serving complimentary meals to veterans from 11-1, pre-registration required. Come join the patriotic ceremony at 8:00 a.m. , enjoy being outdoors, walk among the flags at the Armament Museum and pick up some great food from our friends at One 20 A Modern Bistro.  Reserve your ticket here for a FREE meal.  

To sponsor a flag:

This fundraiser  helps provide scholarships and support the organization’s four programs of service: Americanism, Youth Scholarships, Community Service Projects and the Prevention of Child & Elderly Abuse. Flags are available for sponsorship:  Please fill out the form below and mail it with your check to: Emerald Coast Exchange Club, PO Box 2022, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549. If you would like to add a photo, please include it with your submission. Deadline for a request to display a flag is November 1.

Learn how to make Red White and Blue Firecracker Cocktail in honor of our #carecontinues campaign and our week long online auction to provide comfort to our military and veteran families staying at our Fisher House on Eglin AFB. Visit the auction, http://carecontinues.afrogs.org/  and enjoy this cute little video on how to make this cocktail in celebration of our mission.

Each year at our Helping Heroes Gala, Deborah Roberts with AmFund is in the room with us, offering great chance of a lifetime trips that benefit our Fisher House with your travel.  With our online auction this year, those same trips are being offered with our long-term partner AmFund and as we know, folks to do business with people they know and trust.  Deborah shares this philosophy and created this little greeting so she could be with us virtually.

We love working with her each year and have many of our generous donors who have enjoyed these trips!  Click here to HEAR from Deborah.

Mark your calendars for our 2nd annual Props Trot for Troops 5k and after party benefiting Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, hosted by Props Craft Brewery, Run With It and Northwest Florida Track Club! Volunteers needed to aid in parking pre-event and during the run. Complimentary food + your first beer free. Want to run?
All 5k participants receive a t-shirt and if you’re one of the first 250 people, you’ll receive a branded 16 oz. mug! Race begins at 9 AM…. Complimentary food + your first beer free.  Volunteer here. 

Ryan Hendrickson, a Green Beret who was awarded a Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, has authored a book about his experiences on the battlefield, and Stripes Pub & Grill in Navarre is hosting an October 9 book signing for him.

“Tip of the Spear” is the inspiring true story of Sergeant First Class (SFC) Hendrickson, a US Special Forces soldier who was medically retired after stepping on an IED, and his incredible return to active duty and combat.

The book details Hendrickson, clearing the way for his 12-man team. As the “tip of the spear,” his role was to ensure the route taken by U.S. and Afghan troops are free of IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Many soldiers do not survive their last step; those who do often lose at least one limb.

While rescuing an Afghan soldier outside a mud-hut compound in 2010, knowing that he was in “uncleared” territory, Ryan stepped on an IED with his right foot. The device exploded, leaving his foot dangling at the end of his leg.

American soldiers losing a limb is an all-too-common occurrence. But what makes Ryan’s story different is that after undergoing two dozen surgeries and a tortuous rehabilitation, he was medically retired but fought to return to active duty. Multiple skin grafts to his leg and right foot successfully reattached his lower leg, and he was aided in his recovery by wearing a new prosthetic device known as an IDEO (Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis).

Once he passed a series of crucial physical tests, Ryan was able to rejoin the Green Berets within a year and physically perform his duties, redeploying to Afghanistan in March 2012.

In 2016, he volunteered to return to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. During a firefight with the Taliban, he risked his life under heavy enemy fire to rescue three Afghan soldiers cut off from friendly forces and return the bodies of two dead Afghan soldiers under the ethos that “no one gets left behind.” For his heroic efforts on the battlefield, SFC Ryan Hendrickson was awarded a Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor.

An engaging and harrowing account, “Tip of the Spear” tells the amazing story of one Green Beret’s indomitable spirit.

The book signing will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, October 9 at Stripes Pub & Grill, located at 1878 Andorra Street in Navarre.

72Tony Hughes, Patrick Colloton and 70 others

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As our 13th Annual Helping Heroes Gala goes on hiatus for 2020, the #carecontinues when considering the needs of our military and veteran families.  While our home has remained open with limitations, additional families have been placed in partner hotels, keeping them together for hope and healing during a medical event.

Want to help us fulfil this mission?  Ways include visiting our online auction, it’s ready for review and easy to bid.  Items include our very popular bucket list vacations, a crowd favorite in our 400-person black tie event each year.  YOU get to be included this year from anywhere USA.  Register early by texting helpingheroes to 22454.

The auction opens October 15 and will conclude October 22.  Here is the auction site.  

Remember, it’s not just a shopping experience.  It’s a way to bless military families.  At Fisher House, we are a blessing connection.  Giving generous supporters the opportunity to bless a military family in need, saying thank you for your service and sacrifice in a very real tangible way.  #loveisgoodmedicine

Our organization formed in 2007 with some dynamic folks who love our military and that still rings true today. Here is the ground breaking in 2008. Trec Chedister had a foot on the shovel back then, and remains on our board today. We are grateful for the GREAT folks who move a lot of ground to make things happen.

Help us Pave the Way to 2021 and beyond with a commemorative brick. Buy a brick, honor a loved one with a paver that lines the path to the gazebo, to hope and healing for our families and you get a cool stress brick. $100. Listen here how YOU make a difference with a brick. https://conta.cc/330MzHJ Chris Curtis was our featured speaker in 2018. What a story! https://conta.cc/3cugbk9